LGL Updates Bonikro Reserves and Resources
31 May 2010 - 2:00PM
Marketwired
Lihir Gold Limited (LGL)(TSX: LGG)(ASX: LGL)(NASDAQ: LIHR) has
updated mineral reserves and resources at its Bonikro operation in
Cote d'Ivoire.
Reserves
Total ore reserves at 31 March 2010 were 760,000 ounces. This
compares with the previous stated reserve of 930,000 oz at October
2006. The movement in reserve is due to the following factors:
1. Mining depletion of 275,000 ounces
2. An increase in the gold price assumption from US$550/oz to US$900/oz
3. Changes to the resource model
4. Pit re-optimisation
5. Changes to cost assumptions
6. Reduction in cut-off grade from 0.6g/t to0.5 g/t
The latest reserve estimate does not take into account drilling
since November 2009, and does not include any estimates related to
the nearby Hire district. Results received since November will be
included in the next estimation which is expected to be completed
later this year to coincide with the upgrade of Hire resources and
reserves and as part of the Bonikro expansion feasibility
study.
The following table sets out the ore reserves by category:
Bonikro Reserves Statement - 31 March 2010
Ore Reserves: Bonikro, March 31, 2010 (1)
Tonnes Average Grade Contained Ounces
(Million) (Au g/t) (Au, kozs)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Proved - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------
Probable 16.1 1.41 729
--------------------------------------------------------------
Sub Total 16.1 1.41 729
--------------------------------------------------------------
Stockpile (4)
(Proved) 1.1 0.86 31
--------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 17.2 1.38 760
---------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
1. Reserves quoted for March 31, 2010 are those remaining below the March
31, 2010 mining surface, based on the February 2010 resource model.
2. Cut-off grade of 0.5 Au g/t as calculated using current costs.
3. Reserves are based on a maximum profit with an assumed life of mine gold
price of US$900 per ounce. The quantity of contained gold does not
indicate the quantity that will ultimately be recovered.
4. Stockpile is ore above the cut-off as at March 31, 2010.
5. Rounding, conforming to the JORC Code, may cause some computational
discrepancies
Resources
Mineral resources at Bonikro have been updated to 1,224Koz,
based on the drilling up to the end of November 2009. This compares
with the August 2009 resource estimate of 1,365Koz, which has since
been depleted by mining. The updated resource reflects a reduction
in the cut-off grade to 0.5g/t from 0.6g/t, in line with the
revised gold price assumption of $900/oz, and a revised geological
model.
The mineral resources are outlined in the following table:
Bonikro Resources Statement - 31 March 2010
Mineral Resources: Bonikro, March 31, 2010 (1)
Resource Tonnes Average Grade Contained Ounces
Category (Million) (Au g/t) (Au, kozs (2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated 21.5 1.33 918
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred 8.4 1.13 306
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Resources 29.9 1.27 1,224
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Cut-off grade 0.5 g/t. Rounding, conforming to the JORC Code, may cause
some computational discrepancies
2. The number of contained ounces does not indicate the ounces that will be
ultimately recovered. The ounces ultimately recovered and available for
sale depends on whether, and to the degree which, mineral resources are
converted to ore reserves
"This is a good outcome for the Bonikro operation nda underpins
its value prior to the completion of the expansion feasibility,"
said LGL CEO Graeme Hunt, "and we expect the current drilling
program to further enhance the resource base by year end."
"Bonikro is an important centre for LGL's operations in Cote
d'Ivoire and provides a platform for further growth," he said.
Competent Person
The information in this report that relates to Ore Reserves at
Bonikro is based on information compiled by Nick Spicer, who is a
member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Nick Spicer is employed by Lihir Gold Limited in the role of
Principal Mining Engineer. He has sufficient experience, which is
relevant to the style of mineralisation and the type of deposit
under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to
qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the
"Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves". Nick Spicer consents to the inclusion in the report of
the matters based on their information in the form and context in
which it appears.
The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources
at Bonikro is based on information compiled by Mr Roy Kidd.
Mr Kidd is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists
and is a full time employee of Lihir Gold Ltd in the role of
Principal Geologist. Roy Kidd has sufficient experience which is
relevant to the style of mineralisation and the type of deposit
under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to
qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the
"Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves". Roy Kidd consents to the inclusion in
the report of the matters based on his information in the form and
context in which it appears.
Contacts: Lihir Gold Limited Joe Dowling GM Corporate Affairs
+61 7 3318 3308, +61 415 248 889 Lihir Gold Limited Joel Forwood
Manager Investor Relations +61 7 3318 3331, +61 438 576 879
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